Donald
Teuma-Castelletti
LADYSMITH Aug. 18-20, 2017
Yogis, shamans, spiritual leaders and musicians descended upon Ladysmith last weekend, all in attendance of the fifth annual Bhakti in the Woods yoga festival.
Welcoming guests from all over North America, the festival saw almost 200 people join the group, experiencing live Kirtan chanting music, over 20 workshops and classes, and another dozen vendors, all connected by the theme of respect for the planet.

“For the theme this year, it’s about connectivity to the earth, appreciation and reverence,” said Bermalva Porter, the event organizer and host.
Holding the gathering on her property, providing plenty of spacious room for tents, music performances, vendors, washrooms, parking and lots of land for kids to run freely, Porter admitted that the initial incarnation was an informal one. Though this may be the fifth official year, she counts it as the sixth time it’s been held.
“We wanted to come together and have an informal party with chanting, singing and great food,” said Porter.
And since then it has grown tremendously. Hitting 100 guests last year, Porter estimated a 75 per cent increase in crowd, with some coming from as far as Arizona to attend.
But the guests aren’t the only international travellers, as many the musicians arrive from all over, too.
Having attended many similar events in Canada and beyond, she’s made many connections in the spiritual scene. Through social media and other interactions, Porter has had to book some acts two or three years in advance.
Each year, preparations for the next event have begun almost immediately after the event’s end.
“We start prep the day after the festival ends because there are many different aspects,” she said.
Although some of those aspects are easier to arrange than others.
“We get approached [for workshops] so that sort of takes care of itself,” said Porter.
With classes on everything from alternative healing methods, many different strains of yoga, meditation and sometimes, literally, a discussion on nothing, guests were all able to find at least a bit of something that were familiar, while also exploring new experiences.
And well the stigma of traditional yoga and it’s past connotations may not appeal to everyone, Porter wanted to stress that yoga is non-religious. The focus here remains on yoga and the connected music.
“There seems to be a notion that yoga is a religion,” said Porter. “It may have come from it, but it’s not religion.”
Every year, Porter has received uplifting feedback from the community that’s grown here.
“The feedback that we get every year is that people feel at home here,” she said. “They feel accepted, welcomed.”
Speaking to a younger group of three hanging out at the festival, they supported this feedback.
Benjamin Soucie and his family used to come together, but this year just Soucie attended, bringing his friend Max Racine along. They agreed that the healthy, active lifestyle promoted here, plus the focus on organic foods made it a refreshing environment.
Alysha Collins said she came out because her sister was operating one of the vendor booths, but having recently got back into yoga, she felt comforted by the atmosphere.
“When I got here, there was good energy,” said Collins. “It’s easy to relax.”
And though Porter admits that the festival is feeling fuller every year, she is open to having a lot more volunteers next time around.
“We had more volunteers this year,” said Porter. “But ten to 12 bucked out when they found out about bathroom duties.”